The italian
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Italian Open: Mertens Outlasts Defending Champ Paolini, Ostapenko Downs Zheng To Enter Last 16
Italian Open: Jasmine Paolini’s title defence at the Italian Open 2026 came to a dramatic end on Saturday after Belgium’s Elise Mertens saved three match points to secure a battling 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 victory and advance to the fourth round in Rome.
In another major result from the women’s draw, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko finally overcame Zheng Qinwen after three previous defeats, rallying from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and continue her strong run in the Italian capital.
Paolini, seeded ninth and backed by a vocal home crowd at the Foro Italico, looked on course to keep her campaign alive after edging a tightly contested opening set and moving within a point of victory in the second. The Italian earned three match points while leading 6-5, but Mertens held firm under pressure before forcing a tie-break, where she completed a remarkable turnaround.
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